These mini Chocolate Orange Steamed Puddings are the perfect dessert for the colder months! They're light yet comforting, and are packed with flecks of real chocolate and orange zest. They're easy to make and are delicious served with a simple chocolate sauce!
A steamed sponge pudding is the perfect dessert for when the weather is cooler. The puddings are warming and comforting, just like a great big hug in a bowl.
For some of us steamed puddings bring back recollections of school puddings which could be rather heavy rib-stickers like Spotted Dick and Jam Roly-Poly. But these Chocolate Orange Steamed Puddings are far from stodgy affairs instead they are deliciously light yet comforting. And I don't mind if I say taste amazing.
Steamed pudding can be made as one large pudding like my Orange and Stem Ginger Steamed Pudding on my other blog Recipes Made Easy. But these Chocolate Orange Puddings are cooked in small individual pudding tins and have the advantage of substantially reduced the cooking time.
Of course a larger pudding can have far more presence when positioned in the centre of the dining table, but, to me, smaller individual puddings do feel quite special when the whole dessert is for yourself!
Preparing the pudding moulds
As each pudding needs to be turned out it is important to make sure you prepare the pudding moulds carefully. I used non-stick metal moulds which are approx 7.5cm (3in) wide x 5cm (2in) tall and hold 160ml (5½floz) of liquid.
If you don't have pudding moulds you can use ramekin dishes of a simial volume.
To prepare the moulds grease the inside of the moulds with a little butter. Add a heaped teaspoon of flour to one of the moulds. Swirl the mould around until the flour has completely coated the inside of the mould. Tip the excess flour into the next mould, giving the dariole mould a little knock to ensure there is only a thin layer of flour. Repeat until all of the moulds are buttered and floured.
If your tins are not non-stick you may want to put a small disc of baking parchment into the base of each mould before adding the flour. which will make turning them out easier.
How to steam the puddings
Once the pudding have been made and the tins filled, you will need to cover them. Cut pieces of tinfoil about 18 - 20cm square. Use a little butter to grease the dull underside of the foil. Set aside. Cut 6 lengths of string that are long enough to go around the top of the dariole mould twice with enough surplus to allow a knot to be tied.
Fold the squares of tinfoil to create a pleat down the centre of the foil (this will open out and give the pudding more room to expand as it rises during the cook).
Place the tinfoil, butter side down, over the dariole mould. Scrunch the foil around the side of the mould. Tie a length of string around the mould just beneath its lip to secure the foil.
If steaming the puddings in a saucepan, you want to add a string handle to assist with their removal once cooked.
The puddings can be cooked in an electric steamer if you have one, or a steamer basket/rack over a pan of simmering water.
If you do not have a steamer or steamer basket, use a large pan with a tight-fitting lid. Pour a few centimetres/inches of water into the pan and position an upturned plate in the bottom of the pan. sit the pudding moulds on the plate to steam. Make sure the water does not come too far up the sides of the moulds.
Here's how to make individual Chocolate Orange Steamed Puddings.
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Orange Steamed Puddings
Equipment
- 6 individual pudding moulds -mine were 7.5cm (3in) wide x 5cm(2in) tall, and hold 160ml (5½floz) of liquid
- steamer
- foil and string
Ingredients
The puddings
- 50 g (2oz) dark chocolate
- 1 orange
- 2 large eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 100 g (3½oz) butter softened plus extra for greasing
- 150 g (5oz) golden caster sugar
- 200 g (7oz) self-raising flour plus extra for preparing the moulds
- milk
Chocolate Sauce
- 300 ml (½pt) double cream
- 50 g (2oz) dark chocolate
- 50 g (2oz) milk chocolate
Instructions
Chocolate orange puddings
- Grease the pudding tins and dust the insides with flour. Finely grate 50g (2oz) dark chocolate and place in the refrigerator to chill until required.
- Grate the zest from 1 orange and set aside. Squeeze the juice and place in a small saucepan. bring the juice to a gently boil and boil until reduced by half. Allow to cool.
- Beat 2 egg and 1 egg yolk together with a fork until combined. Place 100g (3½oz) butter and 150g (5oz) caster sugar together until pale and fluffy. Beat in the orange zest.
- Gradually add the beaten egg a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Add 2 tablespoon of reduced orange juice and beat again.
- Sieve 200g (7oz) flour into the mixture and fold in with a metal spoon or spatula. Add a little more orange juice or milk to soften the mixture if it is too stiff (it should drop easily from the spoon).
- Fold in the chopped chocolate and mix until just combined.
- Divide the mixture equally between the prepared tins. Cover each with a pleated piece of buttered foil and secure the foil with string. Steam for 40 minutes
Chocolate sauce
- About 10 minutes before the pudding are ready, make the sauce. Pour 300ml (½ pt) double cream into a saucepan and heat gently until almost boiling. (do not let the cream boil).
- Meanwhile, chop 50g each milk and dark chocolate into small pieces and place in a heatproof bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and stir until the chocolate has melted to produce a smooth sauce.
To serve
- Carefully remove the puddings from the steamer. remove the foil and turn out onto serving plates. Serve with the chocolate sauce poured over the top.
Notes
- For a richer chocolate sauce use 100g (3 ½ oz) dark chocolate instead of a mixture of dark and milk chocolate.
- Alternatively use all milk chocolate for a lighter sauce.
- The spare egg white can either be chilled in the fridge for a few days to use in another bake or frozen in an airtight container. Allow the frozen egg yolk to defrost in the fridge completely before being used.
Anita says
what size pudding basin for one large pudding, please.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Ive not made these as one large pudding but I would guess you would need a 900ml (2pt) pudding basin and you would cook for about 2- 2½ hours. If you give it a go do let me know how you get on.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Ive not made these in one large bowl so I can not say for sure. But I would guess you would need a 900ml (2pt) pudding basin and cook for 1 ¾ - 2 hours. If you give it a go then do let me know how you got on
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
Yum - I love steamed puddings - they have such a great texture! And chocolate + orange - what's not to like!! Eb x
Chloe Edges says
I am all over these. I'm having to exercise some serious self control not to head straight to the kitchen...
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Go to the kitchen and give them ago I'm sure you won't regret it
Helen - Cooking with my kids says
These look really tasty. And I do love an individual pudding that's just for me!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Oh I agree but I get very cross with Mr B when he expects me to share it!
Sylvie says
These little puddings look SO delicious! Love the combo of chocolate and orange
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
I remember admiring these before! I love steamed puds and chocolate orange combo is just the best!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
lots of people love the combo. It's not my favourite but that said it's still pretty darn good and I won't say no to it
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
These sound absolutely delicious. I love chocolate and orange together and haven't made steamed puddings before so I think I need to give these a go!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Do I am sure you will like them. Let me know what you think
Julie McPherson says
Wow Angela, these really are tempting especially with the drizzle of chocolate sauce. Commenting as BritMums baking Round-up Editor. 🙂
Corina Blum says
I would love one of these little chocolate orange steamed puddings! I've been planning to make a steamed pudding ever since pudding week on Bake off and as they really are such a great comfort food. Thanks so much for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice x
Kat BakingExplorer says
Well these puddings just look stunning! And that chocolate sauce, you have me drooling again!
Jasmin Charlotte says
Yummm! It's been ages since I've had a steamed pudding but I've been totally craving them since bake off! x
Lizet Flores de Bowen says
Oh! such a lovely dessert. Orange/chocolate is one of my favorite combos. They look so moist. Amd that sauce! mmmm. so yummy!
Jo / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
I absolutely love your mini puds, I so need to get myself those little moulds! 🙂 Chocolate orange combo is wonderful and silky sauce looks amazing! x
Rebecca Beesley says
certainly a perfect comfort food! love the flavours - making me feel all wintery. #gbbobloggers2017 xxx
Louise Fairweather says
These look lovely and I love your trifle too!
helen says
wow, that trifle looks amazing! whilst I'm not a fan of traditional trifle (it's a jelly thing), my family loves it, and this would be a real show stopper on the christmas table!
Your mini chocolate orange puds look great too - I might have to dig out my small moulds, which would avoid arguing over the size of the slices I cut!
Jenny says
well how ruddy delicious do you puddings look Angela? I love chocolate and orange together so I could devour one of these easily enough. I also like the idea of individual ones.
your trifle terrine looks beautiful too x
Jenny says
and thank you for joining in with #GBBOBloggers2017 x
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
We're huge fans of choolate orange too - it's such a fab flavour combo isn't it! I'm so glad we decided to make smaller ones because they cooked so much quicker though it did take a little longer in preparing the dariole moulds.
You're welcome Jenny, it's such a fab linky 😀
Angela x.
Kate Glutenfreealchemist says
There is something about steamed puddings that is so comforting..... Chocolate-Orange is such a classic, but perfect combo.
Mind you..... that trifle looks amazing.... Off to check it out! x
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
They are incredibly comforting aren't they, in fact i'm very much tempted to make another one this wk! They were such a hit with hubby & my folks (as well as me!)
Aw thankyou Kate, I was so happy with that trifle (less so now about the pics I must admit!)
Angela x
Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes says
What a wonderful way to jazz up a regular cake! I have never made or tasted a steamed pudding before..But these sound perfect with chocolate and orange flavor..Also love the idea of adding finely grated chocolate in place of regular cocoa! Just lovely 🙂
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
ooh you must make a steamed pudding whe the weather turns a bit colder Deepika - it's so comforting !
Angela x
Nico @ yumsome says
These look so wonderful - I'm pretty much drooling here!
I love your spoons too... I need to hit up Ebay to find some (because yes, I am the idiot who gave all her gran's ones to charity when she passed away 17 years ago)!
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
Aw thankyou Nico,
I love those spoons too. I only became the proud owner of them a wk or two ago along with a few other pieces of old cutlery. I got them from a local 'sell-it' centre (a bit like a huge charity shop) and sadly they're closing because the property owner has put the rent up over 30%!! So sad!
Angela x
Recipes Made Easy says
Chocolate orange is a great flavour combination for a steamed pudding. definitely says comfort food to me. I love the fact that you made mini ones too. No squabbles over who got the bigger slice
Angela - Only Crumbs Remain says
We just love choc-orange Jacqui so it was an easy decision from all of the flavours that can be used in a steamed pud. That's very tur - them all being equal defo means to bickering!
Angela x